Opener is an open-source reference implementation of the DECT NR+ protocol, designed for massive IoT deployments and ultra-reliable, low-latency machine-to-machine communication.
The Opener Initiative has developed Opener, an open-source reference implementation of the DECT NR+ protocol stack, formally known as DECT-2020 NR. The project targets massive machine-type communications and ultra-reliable, low-latency applications, with support from the OpenDECT-X project and funding from Germany’s Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space.
DECT NR+ is designed to support up to one million devices per square kilometre while allowing low-power sensors to operate for years on battery power. The standard supports both non-IP and IPv6 communication, along with mesh networking and random-access operation. It also targets ultra-reliable low-latency communication with sub-millisecond air-interface latency and a 99.999 per cent reliability target.
Unlike conventional cellular networks based on centralised infrastructure, DECT NR+ does not depend on a central network architecture and uses context-based device roles. The technology operates in the licence-exempt 1880–1930 MHz spectrum and is expected to expand into the 3.8–4.2 GHz band in Europe. Supported network configurations include point-to-point, star and mesh topologies.
The Opener implementation covers the MAC and upper layers of the DECT NR+ protocol stack up to Application Profiles. Written in C and designed for the Zephyr RTOS, the project is released under the Apache 2.0 licence, allowing both research and commercial use. The source code and example applications are publicly available through the Opener Initiative’s GitHub repositories.
Although Opener is designed to remain vendor- and application-agnostic, current off-the-shelf hardware support centres on Nordic Semiconductor’s nRF91 series. The available examples specifically use the nRF9151 DK, while other compatible nRF9151-based development boards may also be supported. By providing an open-source implementation of the DECT NR+ stack, Opener gives developers a foundation for experimenting with large-scale IoT, mesh networking and low-latency wireless communication.
For more information, click here.
